Dorsal venous arch of hand : superficial vein of upper limb 

The dorsal venous network of the hand is a network of veins in the superficial fascia on the dorsum of hand formed by the dorsal metacarpal veins. 

It is included in the superficial venous system.

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 It is an irregular arrangement of veins with transverse element which lies 2-3 cm proximal to the heads of metatarsal bones

Tributaries : three dorsal metatarsal veins

1.    A dorsal digital vein from the medial side of little finger

2.    A dorsal digital vein from the lateral side of index  finger

3.    Two dorsal digital veins of the thumb

4.    Veins draining palm of hand

a) veins that pass around the margins of the hand and

b) perforating veins which pass dorsally through the interosseous spaces

Function

1.    Its main function is the venous drainage of the hand.

2.    It not only receives blood from the palm around the borders of the hand, but also from veins that go through the interosseous spaces.

3.    In practical terms, this means that even when there is pressure on the palm from a gripping action, venous return does not slow.

4.    In addition, the cephalic and basilic veins come up from the dorsal venous arch. These are responsible for joining the deep veins and the lymphatics.

Drainage:

It drains into cephalic and basilica veins – the efferent vessels of dorsal venous arch  but most of the blood from the entire hand drains into the arch of the hand.